Maharashtra orders review of autonomous college fees after student overcharging complaints

Maharashtra’s higher and technical education department has ordered a review of fees charged by autonomous colleges following a wave of student complaints about overcharging. Autonomous colleges can set their own fees, but UGC regulations permit the government to check whether they follow prescribed norms. Students said traditional BA, BSc and BCom courses cost about ₹4,000, while self‑financed versions of the same courses charge up to ₹60,000 despite using the same infrastructure. Higher education minister Chandrakant Patil directed the director of higher education to examine the fee structures. Director Shailendra Devalankar confirmed the move, noting that 151 autonomous colleges operate in the state and that the review will be conducted as per the UGC (Conferment of Autonomous Status Upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2023.

Reaction

Senate member Sheetal Devrukhkar‑Sheth welcomed the decision and called for a standard operating procedure to approve autonomous college fees, pointing out that technical education has a Fee Regulating Authority but autonomous colleges do not. A principal of a Mumbai autonomous college said the institution followed all prescribed procedures, obtained necessary approvals and will provide documents for the review, while stressing that the government’s check should not undermine college financial autonomy.

Context

Autonomous status lets colleges fix fees within state or statutory council guidelines, but rapid growth has led to varied fee practices, prompting calls for clearer oversight.